Brooklyn Heights School

Brooklyn Heights School is a progressive independent school in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, one of New York City's most family-oriented neighborhoods. Serving students aged 4 through 14 across Pre-K to Grade 8, the school follows a progressive American curriculum rooted in experiential learning, project-based inquiry, and social-emotional development — a philosophy that traces its lineage to the progressive education movement pioneered by John Dewey. The school is housed in a beautifully restored brownstone campus on Henry Street, with additional space in an adjacent building acquired to accommodate growing enrollment. Facilities include a well-appointed library, science laboratory with age-appropriate equipment for hands-on experiments, dedicated art and music studios, a movement and dance room, and an outdoor playground. The school also makes extensive use of Brooklyn Bridge Park and other neighborhood resources as extensions of its learning environment. The academic program integrates core subjects through interdisciplinary thematic units that encourage students to draw connections across disciplines. Reading and writing instruction follows a workshop model, while mathematics emphasizes conceptual understanding and problem-solving. Science education leans heavily on field-based investigation, taking advantage of the school's proximity to the Brooklyn waterfront and local cultural institutions including the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and New York Transit Museum. Brooklyn Heights School is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The school maintains small class sizes, typically 14 to 18 students, with two teachers per classroom in the lower grades. Faculty hold graduate degrees from leading education programs, and many are published authors and practitioners in progressive pedagogy. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded across the curriculum and school culture. The school actively recruits a socioeconomically and racially diverse student body, devoting approximately 20 percent of its operating budget to financial aid. Admissions require a school visit, family interview, and age-appropriate assessment; applicants for kindergarten and above complete ERB testing. Co-curricular programs include chess, coding, ceramics, theater, basketball, and soccer. An after-school enrichment program runs until 5:30 PM for working families. Tuition fees range from USD 35,000 to USD 52,000 per year, which is competitive within Brooklyn's growing independent school landscape.